This only seems to be an issue when running tests that involve a browser (or rather that's the only situation that I've seen the following issue occur). Running entirely non-visual tests that don't require a browser appear to work either way.

The problem is this: if I try and run a Ranorex test plan with either Visual Studio 2015 or SQL Server Management Studio 17 running in the background then when the test plan reaches the stage of using the browser it simply stops. No log. No error. The browser is opened but subsequent actions aren't performed. The little dialog box showing the test being run simply closes and Ranorex studio acts as if the test is no longer being run.